Sam Houston State University defensive back Kenneth Jenkins (32) catches an interception as North Dakota State University wideout Ryan Smith (4) reacts. During the first half of Sam Houston State University and North Dakota State University match up in the 2012 NCAA Division I Football Championship at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas January 7, 2012.

Photo: Billy Smith II, Chronicle

Sam Houston State University defensive back Kenneth Jenkins (32)...

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(L-r) Sam Houston State defensive back Kenneth Jenkins (32) attempts to make a tackle on North Dakota State University Garrett Bruhn (47) after a catch. During the first half of Sam Houston State University and North Dakota State University match up in the NCAA 2012 Division I Football Championship at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas January 7, 2011. North Dakota State University beat Sam Houston State University 17-6.

Photo: Billy Smith II

(L-r) Sam Houston State defensive back Kenneth Jenkins (32)...

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(center) North Dakota State University quarterback Brock Jensen (16) celebrates a rushing touchdown with his North Dakota State University teammates. During the fourth quarter of Sam Houston State University and North Dakota State University match up in the 2012 Division I Football Championship at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas January 7, 2011. North Dakota State University beat Sam Houston State University 17-6.

Photo: Billy Smith II, Chronicle

(center) North Dakota State University quarterback Brock Jensen...

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North Dakota State University quarterback Brock Jensen (16) celebrates a rushing touchdown as North Dakota State University wideout Warren Holloway (81) joins in. During the fourth quarter of Sam Houston State University and North Dakota State University match up in the 2012 Division I Football Championship at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas January 7, 2011. North Dakota State University beat Sam Houston State University 17-6.

Photo: Billy Smith II

North Dakota State University quarterback Brock Jensen (16)...

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Sam Houston State University Assistant Athletic Director Chris Thompson consoles Sam Houston State University running back Tim Flanders (20). After Sam Houston State University losses to North Dakota State University in the 2012 Division I Football Championship at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas January 7, 2011.

Photo: Billy Smith II

Sam Houston State University Assistant Athletic Director Chris...

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North Dakota State University wideout Ryan Smith (4) is tackled by Sam Houston State University defensive back Darnell Taylor (38) during the first half of Sam Houston State University and North Dakota State University match up in the NCAA 2012 Division I Football Championship at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas Saturday January 7, 2011. North Dakota State University beat Sam Houston State University 17-6.

Photo: Billy Smith II

North Dakota State University wideout Ryan Smith (4) is tackled by...

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North Dakota State University strong safety Colten Heagle (20) misses a tackle on Sam Houston State University running back Tim Flanders (20) during the first half of Sam Houston State University and North Dakota State University match up in the NCAA 2012 Division I Football Championship at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas January 7, 2012.

Photo: Billy Smith II

North Dakota State University strong safety Colten Heagle (20)...

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Sam Houston State University wideout Richard Sincere (6) runs for yardage as North Dakota State University linebacker Chad Wilson (45) makes the tackle. During the first half of Sam Houston State University and North Dakota State University match up in the NCAA 2012 Division I Football Championship at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas January 7, 2012.

Photo: Billy Smith II, Chronicle

Sam Houston State University wideout Richard Sincere (6) runs for...

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North Dakota State University quarterback Brock Jensen (16) celebrates a rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter of Sam Houston State University and North Dakota State University match up in the NCAA 2012 Division I Football Championship at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas January 7, 2011. North Dakota State University beat Sam Houston State University 17-6.

FRISCO — Sam Houston State thought it stopped North Dakota State on the opening drive of the second half.

Little did the Bearkats know Bison coach Craig Bohl had been keeping a play "in our hip pocket" for just the right time.

The top-ranked Bearkats were caught off guard by a fake punt that led to a momentum-shifting touchdown, and a costly turnover in the fourth quarter led to another in a 17-6 loss to No. 4 North Dakota State on Saturday in the Football Championship Series title game before a sellout crowd of 20,586 at Pizza Hut Park.

"We had not used a fake all season," Bohl said. "We felt like there'd be a game we'd need it, and this was the game we needed it."

That was enough to end Sam Houston State's magical run, which included a school-record 14 wins, first outright Southland Conference title and first appearance in the FCS championship game.

North Dakota State (14-1) added its first FCS title to eight Division II titles won before moving up in divisions in 2004.

On fourth-and-4, the Bison set up for a punt after being stopped at their 34. North Dakota State called for the fake punt and Matt Voightlander, a former running back who moved to punter in the spring, found wide-open space to his left for a 39-yard gain.

On the next play, Bison quarterback Brock Jensen threw a screen pass to D.J. McNorton for a 39-yard touchdown.

"We work all the time on sudden change," Sam Houston State coach Willie Fritz said. "It was the right call at the right time."

Ahead 6-3 at halftime in a tight defensive battle, the Bearkats seized some momentum by holding North Dakota State to 12 yards and forcing three straight punts to end the first half.

Momentum shift

"Yeah, we really felt good about things," Fritz said despite the Bearkats' lowest-scoring first half of the season.

Less than three minutes into the second half, however, the momentum was gone and Sam Houston State was in unfamiliar territory — behind in the second half for only the second time this season.

Bohl said seizing the momentum early after halftime was key with Sam Houston State outscoring opponents 180-31 in the third quarter this season.

"We felt we needed to establish some momentum," said Bohl, who spent five seasons as defensive coordinator at Rice from 1989-93. "Sam Houston is such a prolific football team coming into the third quarter."

Offense was frustrated

Sam Houston State's No. 1 scoring offense was held 33 points below its season average, managing only a pair of field goals by Craig Alaniz during the final 2:18 of the first half. It was the first time this season they failed to score a touchdown.

The Bearkats got inside the Bison 10-yard line twice in the second quarter but both times had to settle for field goals. They also failed to capitalize on two first-half turnovers by North Dakota State.

The Bison handcuffed the Bearkats' option running game. All-American running back Tim Flanders was often met by a wall of defenders, couldn't break any big runs and finished with a game-high 84 yards. Flanders had 1,644 yards to set the Southland Conference single-season record.

Sam Houston State had a season-low 210 yards, went 1-of-13 on third downs and twice failed on fourth-and-1.

"They closed the door on us on quite a few occasions," Fritz said.

North Dakota State wasn't much better on offense, managing only 235 yards in the game and just three first downs after halftime.

Bison ice the game

Linebacker Travis Beck, who was named Most Outstanding Player, sealed the game for the Bison with 8:48 left when he intercepted an underthrown pass by Brian Bell and returned it to the 1. Jensen scored on the next play for a 17-6 lead.

As the game ended, Sam Houston players walked off the field amid a swarm of green and gold that engulfed midfield.

"To come this far and do what we've done with this program and turn it around so fast, it's been great to be a part of," Bearkats center Travis Watson said.